Oedipus complex, what is it according to Freud

If we talk about what is the Oedipus complex,then, according to Freud, this complex is mandatory and universal for all in childhood. Oedipus complex, what is it? This is one of the concepts used by Freud in classical psychoanalysis in order to denote the child's contradictory attitude towards his parents. That is, this explains the manifestation in the child of unconscious drives, which are accompanied by the expression of feelings of both love and hatred towards parents.

Ancient Greek tragedy, which formed the basis of the Oedipus complex

Oedipus complex, what is it, can be explained withusing the tragedy of ancient Greek Sophocles "Tsar Oedipus." This tragedy tells about the miserable fate of Oedipus. Unconsciously, he first kills his father Lai, then to become the husband of his mother, Jocasta. After he learns from the oracle about the deeds committed by him, he blinds himself.

It was from this myth that Freud derived the idea that,where the Oedipus complex appeared in men. And, as Freud believed, this complex is inherent in every person. He claimed that our dreams prove that everyone without exception sends their first sexual attraction to the mother and their first desire to cause violence - on the father.

Oedipus complex according to Freud

Studying the memories of adults and watchingchildren, Freud concluded that the manifestation of the Oedipus complex is universal. A boy in his childhood is erotically attached to his mother and wants to master it. In this case, the father perceives them as a hindrance. The girl also feels the need to eliminate the mother, as she feels warm feelings for her father.

Oedipus complex, what is it according to Jung

In psychoanalytic literature, to denoteOedipus complex in women, often use the concept introduced by Jung K.G. - Electra complex. And this name also takes its roots from the ancient Greek myth of the daughter of Agamemnon. In this tragedy Electra helped to kill her mother, who was guilty of the death of her father.

But Freud, arguing on the topic "Oedipus complex, thatis it? ", he believed that it is equally characteristic of all people, regardless of what sex they belong to. Freud justified this by saying that a man has a masculine and feminine origin, and his bisexuality leads to the fact that a child can take an active position or passive.

Displacement of the Oedipus complex

According to Freud, the Oedipus complex beginsmanifest in children aged 3 to 5 years. And the task of everyone is to overcome it, since this process is mandatory for the development of the child, characterized by the transition from the phase of child sexuality to the normal path of human development. If he remains in the unconscious child, it can cause the child's neurologization and affect his psychological disorders already in adulthood.

But, despite the versatility of the complex, FreudStill, he believed that boys and girls develop and develop differently. Fear of the boy before castration as punishment for the attraction to the mother leads to his aversion from the Oedipus complex. And the boy sublimates his drives to other, socially acceptable goals.

The girl, according to Freud, normally reactsto the fact that she does not have a penis, but she is jealous of the organ she does not have, and wants to receive it from her father. This desire lasts a fairly long period, so the girls leave the Oedipus complex slowly. But the continued preservation of girls in this complex contributes to the preparation of a woman for her sexual maturation.